Allegory and Symbolism in Biblical Narrative

Allegory and symbolism are literary devices used throughout the Bible to convey deeper spiritual truths beyond the literal meaning of the text. An allegory is a figure of speech where a representation of one thing is intended to excite the representation of another, containing a twofold sense: an immediate or historic meaning and an ultimate meaning concerned with the things signified by the words ^[1]. Symbolism, on the other hand, involves the use of objects, actions, or ideas to represent something else, often a more abstract concept ^[5].

The term "allegory" appears explicitly in Galatians 4:24, where the apostle Paul uses the history of Isaac and Ishmael allegorically to illustrate the contrast between those born free and those born into slavery under the law ^{[2, 13]}. Paul connects Abraham's human attempt to fulfill God's promises through Hagar with the attempt to attain salvation by keeping the law, contrasting Hagar's enslaved status with the freedom found in Christ ^[13].

Parables are closely related to allegories, often functioning as short allegories with a definite moral ^[1]. The Greek word parabole signifies "placing beside" or "comparison," illustrating one subject by another ^[3]. While every parable can be considered an allegory, parables typically relate what actually takes place and are true to fact, teaching higher heavenly and spiritual truths ^[4]. In the New Testament, parables are often stories that express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth ^{[7, 12]}. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate its central analogy and interpret it within its historical and Gospel context, rather than seeking speculative allegorical meanings in every element ^[7]. Examples include Jesus' parables in Matthew 13, such as the Sower, which addresses the varied responses to his message ^{[7, 8]}.

The Old Testament also contains numerous examples of allegorical and symbolic language. Nathan's narrative to David in 2 Samuel 12:1-4 is an allegorical account ^[2]. Psalm 80 uses the allegory of a vine brought out of Egypt ^[2]. Ezekiel 17 begins with an allegory or parable concerning two eagles and a vine, which is immediately followed by an explanation ^{[6, 10]}. Ecclesiastes 12:2-6 provides a striking allegorical description of old age ^[2].

Symbolism is pervasive in biblical texts. Fire, for instance, symbolizes Jehovah's presence and power, capable of both approval and destruction, and is seen as an immaterial, mysterious, yet visible, warming, comforting, and consuming force ^[5]. The "cup" is a frequent figure for God's favor or wrath ^[9]. Jonah's prayer from "the belly of Sheol" (Jonah 2:2) incorporates symbolic language and experiences found in the Psalms, demonstrating how affliction can reveal deeper scriptural meaning ^[11].

While parables and allegories share similarities, a key distinction lies in their scope and nature. Fables, for example, differ from parables because fables often feature irrational or inanimate beings acting with human interests for moral instruction, whereas parables relate to actual events and teach spiritual truths ^[4]. The Bible contains only two examples of fables: Jotham's fable of the trees in Judges 9:8-15 and Jehoash's fable of the thistle and the cedar in 2 Kings 14:9 ^[4].

Understanding the use of allegory and symbolism is crucial for interpreting biblical narratives, as these literary forms allow for the communication of complex theological concepts and moral lessons through relatable imagery and stories.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fable — A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions.--Encyc. Brit. The fable differs from the parable in that-- + The parable always relates what actually takes place, and is true to fact, which the fable is not; and + The parable teaches the higher heavenly and spiritual truths, but the fable only earthly moralities. Of the fable, as distinguished from the parable [[510]Parable], we have but two examples in the Bible: + That of the tree”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fire — is represented as the symbol of Jehovah's presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many ”
Ezekiel “Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; -- Ezekiel 17:2”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:3: And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, &c.--These parables are SEVEN in number; and it is not a little remarkable that while this is the sacred number, the first FOUR of them were spoken to the mixed multitude, while the remaining THREE were spoken to the Twelve in private--these divisions, four and three, being themselves notable in the symbolical arithmetic of Scripture. Another thing remarkable in the structure of these parables is, that while the first of the Seven--that of the Sower--is of the nature of an Introduction to the who”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 11:6: Their punishment is described by vivid figures denoting abundant, sudden, furious, and utter destruction (compare Gen 19:24; Job 18:15; Psa 7:15; Psa 9:15). cup--is a frequent figure for God's favor or wrath (Psa 16:5; Psa 23:5; Mat 20:22-23).”
Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 17 (introduction): This chapter begins with a new allegory or parable, Eze 17:1-10; to which an explanation is immediately subjoined, Eze 17:11-21. In the remaining verses the prophet, by a beautiful metaphor, makes an easy and natural transition to the Messiah, and predicts the security, increasing prosperity, and ultimate universality of his kingdom, Eze 17:22-24. From the beauty of its images, the elegance of its composition, the perspicuity of its language, the rich variety of its matter, and the easy transition from one part of the subject to another, this chapter f”
Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 2:2: His prayer is partly descriptive and precatory, partly eucharistical. Jonah incorporates with his own language inspired utterances familiar to the Church long before in , ; in , ; in , ; in , ; in , ; ; in , ; in , , and . Jonah, an inspired man, thus attests both the antiquity and inspiration of the Psalms. It marks the spirit of faith, that Jonah identifies himself with the saints of old, appropriating their experiences as recorded in the Word of God (). Affliction opens up the mine of Scripture, before seen only on the surface. out of the belly of h”
Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 4:2: 4:2 Parables are often stories (Luke 15:11-32; 18:1-8) but can also be proverbs (Mark 3:24-25; Luke 4:23), similes and metaphors (Matt 5:14; 10:16), riddles (Mark 7:15; 14:58), comparisons (Matt 13:33; Luke 15:3-7), examples (Luke 10:30-35; 12:16-21), or allegories (Mark 4:3-9; 12:1-12).”
Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 4:24: 4:24-25 Paul connects Abraham’s human attempt to fulfill God’s promises (4:23) with the human attempt in Galatia and elsewhere to attain salvation by keeping the law. Hagar’s status as a slave-wife corresponds with Israel’s enslaved status under the law. This status contrasts with the status of those who have faith in Christ (4:26-27). 4:24 serve as an illustration (literally are being allegorized): In allegorical writing, every character and event is symbolic of a deeper meaning. Allegorical interpretations often ignore the historical meaning of the text and i”

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